Explosion Rocks Boston Marathon; Status of PV Runners Unknown

Two people are dead and many more are injured as the result of a pair of explosions near the finish line of Monday's Boston Marathon, according to the Boston Police Department. 

Details about the sources of the explosions have yet to be confirmed, however, CNN is reporting that the area is being investigated as a crime and scene and the Associated Press reports that two non-detonated improvised explosive devices were found along the route.

The Boston Police Department announced during a press conference that a third explosion took place at the JFK Library, several miles from the finish line.

More than 20,000 officially runners officially entered this year's race, including two Palos Verdes Estates residents and eight Rancho Palos Verdes residents.

According to the Boston Marathon's official website, Rancho Palos Verdes residents Paul Hansen, Jennifer Mueller, Tawnie Norman, Wendy Norris and Wes Wang finished the race at least 10 minutes before the bombs exploded. Palos Verdes Estates resident Kathleen Lettieri and Rancho Palos Verdes resident Shirley Blush hit the halfway point of the course at 2:10 and 2:07, respectively, putting their projected finish times after the explosions.

It's not clear if William Moore of Palos Verdes Estates, Gregory Amano of Rancho Palos Verdes or Christopher Venn of Rancho Palos Verdes ran in the race. All three were entered and received bib numbers, according to the Boston Marathon official website.

A search on the Google Person Finder for the Boston Marathon Explosions yielded no results for any local competitors' names; however, Wang left a note in the comments of this article that he is OK and back in Palos Verdes.

According to the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the marathon, runners who had not finished the course at the time of the explosions were shepherded away from the crime scene.

"We can confirm that all of the remaining runners who were out on the course when the tragic events unfolded have been returned to a community meeting area," the organization said in a statement on Facebook.

Families looking for relatives or possible victims at the Boston Marathon can call 617-635-4500. For tips or information any of the three explosions in Boston, call 1-800-494-TIPS.

Anyone with any information on the health status of the runners is welcomed to leave comments below, or contact us at palosverdes@patch.com.